$1 billion (£620 million)fully functional 'ghost town' to be built in New Mexico in the name of scientific research.

$1 billion 'ghost town' to be built in New Mexico

A $1 billion (£620 million) 'ghost town' is to be built in the United States in the name of scientific research.

The project, which will create 350 jobs initially, will see an entire town built in New Mexico Photo: ALAMY

4:41PM BST 09 May 2012

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9254994/...

The town, which will be modelled on a town of 35,000 people, will have roads, houses and commercial buildings, but will have no residents.

It will be built in New Mexico about 15 miles west of the nearest town, Hobbs, which has a population of about 40,000.

Scientists hope to use the new 'town' to research innovations in renewable energy as well as intelligent traffic systems and next generation wireless networks.

The investors developing the Centre for Innovation, Technology and Testing (Cite) say they wanted to test the effects of such innovations on a town but without inconveniencing any residents.

The project, which will create 350 jobs initially, will see an entire town built. The houses will even have working lavatories and washing machines.

Building is scheduled to begin on June 30.

Ghost Towns are not uncommon in the USA. Many former towns have been abandoned when the industry that was traditionally supporting the area disappears.

However the new 'smart city' is being billed as a first of its kind. It is thought to be the only 'ghost town' built specifically to serve a purpose.

The Mayor of Hobbs, Sam Cobb, welcomed the project, saying: "It brings so many opportunities and puts us on a world stage."

The town had bid for the project in an attempt to diversify the local economy which has traditionally been heavily reliant on the oil and gas industry.

Among the innovations cited to be explored are automated washing machines, self-flushing lavatories and self-driving cars.

Bob Brumley, the senior managing director of Pegasus Holdings, the company behind the project, said: "The only thing we won't be doing is destructive testing, blowing things up ... I hope."

It is also hoped that the development will allow greater transport links, such as more frequent flights, connecting Hobbs with other major cities such as Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico.

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Comment by DTOM on May 10, 2012 at 4:55pm: That was an odd comment from Brumley, "The only thing we won't be doing is destructive testing, blowing things up ... I hope."

It seems that Pegasus Global Holdings, also have a UK based subsidiary, Perseus Global Ltd, who "seeks to identify and offer technology-based solutions to meet the immediate requirements of governmental agencies around the world. Amongst such solutions, are technologies that protect the individual warfighter abroad, such as personal and perimeter protective equipment, electronic counter-measures kit, satellite communications, unmanned ground vehicles, IT security applications, interoperability software and medical equipment innovation. Additionally, Perseus Global specializes in the commercialization and militarization of government-sponsored-developed IP to support private and civil security forces, local police and first responders.

Perseus Global is uniquely situated to rapidly assess and respond with commercial-off-the-shelf solutions for the immediate need of the warfighter or civil security personnel, thereby side-stepping lengthy procurement cycles and unwarranted expense of larger government-funded programs. It has an active partnering program with larger UK aerospace and defense firms that facilitate “fast-track” requirements and solution development. Perseus Global also has the technical expertise to innovate, design, produce and deploy next-generation solutions to meet embedded program requirements through active partnerships with design and production firms within the UK, ensuring interoperability and compatibility in the field or about the homeland."

It just strikes me that such 'town' could be used for a whole lot more than just 'green-tech' R&D.